Tajikistan Initiates Crackdown on Internet Critics

Reuters

Jul. 16 2012 00:00

Last edited 17:12

kremlin.ruTajikistan President Imomali Rakhmon, seen here in a 2009 meeting with then-President of Russia Dmitry Medvedev

DUSHANBE, Tajikistan — Tajikistan plans to create a volunteer-run body to monitor Internet usage and reprimand those who openly criticize President Emomali Rakhmon and his government, the head of the Central Asian country’s state-run communications service said.†

Beg Zukhurov said the organization, while awaiting official registration, had already taken several Internet users to task for publishing “insults” against Уwell-known personalities.Ф†

УVolunteers for this organization will track down and identify the authors of such comments,Ф Zukhurov told reporters.
He did not elaborate on what might constitute critical comment.†

Asked what would happen to anybody identified by the new organization, he replied: УI donТt know. Probably, they will be shown the error of their ways.Ф†

Rakhmon has ruled Tajikistan for two decades. Though media operate with fewer restrictions than in neighboring Uzbekistan, journalists have been detained in recent months.†

УThere will be chaos,Ф said Parvina Ibodova, chairwoman of the Association of Internet Providers of Tajikistan. УThe sacred principle of every journalist and every citizen, access to information, will be under threat.Ф†

In a sign that authorities are already clamping down on public criticism, an 18-year-old student in Dushanbe said he had recently been detained overnight by the countryТs security services after posting criticism of Rakhmon on his Facebook page.†

The student, who was too afraid to be identified, said he had been lectured repeatedly on his conduct. He was not charged with any offense.†

УIt was scary,Ф he said. УAfter that, I deleted all my social networking accounts.Ф

Saudi Arabia has accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of hypocrisy, telling an Arab summit that he should not express support for the Middle East while fueling instability by supporting Syrian leader Bashar Assad.

The personal details of world leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, were accidentally disclosed by an Australian official ahead of last year's G20 summit in Brisbane, a news report said Monday.

Russia's brand-new T-14 Armata main battle tank, which is set to be officially unveiled to the public at a Victory Day parade on Red Square on May 9, has reportedly been sighted readying for the ceremonies outside Moscow.